The heavy weather that had weighed in the air since early morning finally broke, pouring thick water over Solarius as if the sky were collapsing on purpose.
Each thunderclap made the cubicle window shake. Red lights from the Syndicate sensors danced in the gloom, casting shadows that seemed to grow in the corners. Outside, Syndicate agents approached fast, ready to invade the building at any moment.
The tension was as heavy as the noise of the storm.
Lina curled up in the chair, eyes fixed on Kai, waiting for answers he no longer knew how to give. Footsteps echoed through the walls, mixing with wind, sirens, and the whispers of neighbors locking their doors.
Kai sat on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath, feeling the core boil in his chest. Zero didn't let up.
"Perimeter confirmed. Probability of invasion in less than three minutes. Escape routes: three. Immediate evacuation recommended."
Lina stood up, voice trembling but firm.
"What are you hiding? Why won't those men go away? Kai, look at me."
He hesitated, listening to the rain and his own pounding heart.
"They're coming because of me, Lina. To them, I'm a risk. But you did nothing. I'll never let them hurt you, I swear."
"Don't promise what you can't, Kai. We have to get out of here."
She threw the torn backpack at him."Come on. Now."
In the hallway, voices grew louder. Boots hit concrete, orders barked short and sharp. Kai shrank, core pulsing so hard it hurt.
"Zero, guide us," he whispered.
"Exit through service stairs. West corridor. Three agents at main entrance. Avoid confrontation. Suggest shadow manipulation in blind spots."
Kai pulled Lina by the arm. They crossed the dark room, feeling water spreading under their feet. The back door opened with a burst of cold wind, rain running down the walls as if the building was melting. The street was a river—blinking lights, cars stuck in mud, drones flying too low.
"Come on, Lina!" Kai called, voice low but urgent. She stumbled after him, eyes wide with fear but trusting. They ran together, feet slipping on loose stones. Sirens grew louder. Screams echoed from the corner, orders lost in the wind. A flashlight beam swept the alley, almost catching them both.
Kai pulled Lina behind a metal trash bin, heart racing. Zero spoke:"Project shadow. Partial camouflage enabled. Use time: thirty seconds."
Kai stretched out his hand, feeling cold concrete, the heat of the core. A shadow formed—dense, pulsating. For a moment, they vanished from the agents' view. Lina stared at him, stunned, but said nothing. Fear was stronger than curiosity.
"This way," Kai pointed, his voice hoarse. They moved close to the wall, slipped through a twisted gate, entered a narrow corridor between old buildings. The smell of mold was stronger than the rain. Footsteps splashed in puddles nearby.
Someone shouted, words lost in the storm. Kai held Lina's hand, guiding her. Each turn, the core vibrated, shadows whispered warnings.
Lina stumbled, fell to her knees.
"I can't, Kai. Stop, just a little…"
"Almost there. We can do it." He pulled her up. At the end of the alley, blue lights flashed—Union sensors hunting for any trace. Zero murmured in his mind:
"Main routes blocked. Subterranean alternative: maintenance sewer, ten meters to the left."
Kai spotted the half-open grate, yanked it free, helped Lina down. They fell into a dark tunnel, where the storm was only a muffled hum. Cold water up to their knees, carrying garbage, leaves, plastic. Lina shivered, hugging herself.
"And now?" Her voice was almost a whisper.
Kai tried to steady his panic.
"Now we keep going. Don't stop."
They crossed the tunnel, guided only by Lina's weak watch light and Zero's calm, precise instructions, mapping every fork.
"Turn right. Two figures waiting at next exit—high risk. Recommend fallback. New route left."
At every turn, Kai manipulated shadows, blocking sensors, confusing drone cameras. The effort was brutal: his head throbbed, arms ached, the core felt like it might break. Lina started to panic, voice rising.
"Kai, what are you doing? This isn't normal. You're… different. Since that day in the Nexus, I know. Something's wrong, tell me the truth."
"Later. Just keep moving." Guilt stung sharper than cold or exhaustion.
They reached a rusty ladder and an inspection hatch. Zero scanned the surface."Relatively safe exit. Heavy rain hinders thermal tracking. Thirty seconds until patrol passes."
Kai pushed the cover, rain hitting his face as he climbed up. The street was deserted: abandoned vehicles, overturned trash cans, closed shops. The storm masked any footsteps. Drone lights blinked far off, eyes of hungry predators.
Lina climbed out, face covered in mud. Kai scanned for their next move.
"There," he pointed—a fallen gate, an old warehouse with half a roof but enough walls for shelter.
They ran, crossed the debris yard, reached the warehouse door. Kai shoved it open, both of them stumbling inside, breath ragged, rain pounding the metal roof.
The air reeked of rotten wood and oil, almost suffocating, but safe for a moment.
Kai collapsed against the wall, muscles failing. Lina sat, hugging her knees, eyes full of tears.
"I don't want to run anymore, Kai. I don't want to… I don't know what to do anymore."
His core burned, whole body throbbing, then blackness at the edge of his vision. Zero whispered:"Extreme exhaustion risk. Residual energy: five percent. Immediate rest recommended."
Kai tried to stand. His legs buckled, world spinning, nearly blacking out. Lina grabbed his hand, frightened.
"Stay with me, don't leave me alone here."
"I'm here, Lina. I won't leave you." His voice barely carried. His chest burned, head filled with mixed voices, every shadow whispering secrets. They stayed there, just listening to the rain pound the roof, air thick and time suspended.
Lina leaned her head on his shoulder, voice a whisper.
"I can't keep running, Kai. I'm scared of what's happening to you. It feels like every day you're farther away, even though you're right here."
He looked at her, memorizing every detail: skin streaked with mud, eyes red from exhaustion.
"I'm sorry, Lina. I wish I could protect you from everything. Sometimes I can't even control myself."
She squeezed his hand, sobbing softly.
"Just promise you won't disappear completely. Even if everything gets worse. Even if you change, don't forget me, okay?"
Kai closed his eyes, fighting the terror of losing everything—his sister, his humanity, his own mind. He wanted to promise, but could only whisper:
"As long as I can choose, I'll stay."
Outside, the storm kept raging. The streets were traps now, every exit a risk. Lina looked at her brother.
"Do you think we'll survive?"
This time, Kai met her eyes.
"I don't know, Lina. But I'll try. For you. If it doesn't work, we'll face it together. I promise."
They sat on the cold, dirty floor, both trying to hide the trembling in their hands and the fear on their faces. The rain pounded the roof, muffling even the drones.
The silence between them was full of questions that had no answer. Inside, both hearts beat out of sync, knowing the next step could change everything.